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(No Model.) I F. B. POWERS.

7 LEAD AND ORA-Yon HOLDER. No. 246,339. Patented Aug. 30,1881.

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PATENT FRANK B. POWERS, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

LEAD AND CRAYON HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 246,339, dated August 30, 1881. Application filed March 24, 1881. (No model.)

Figure 1 is a side view of my improved automatic lead or crayon holder; Fig. 2, a cen- -tral section of the same; Figs. 3 to 6, inclusive, detached views of the several parts.

My improvement consists in combining a longitudinally-movable notched slide, having a cap containing'a retractingspring, a leadcarrier within an unslotted sheath, provided with two or more clasping-springs, and a detachable tip, operating together to feed a lead or crayon from the aperture of the tip step by step, and adapted to employ leads or crayons of different sizes.

A is the sheath; B, the detachable tip; 0, the movable slide; D, the lead-carrier; E, the lead or crayon; H, the cap; I, the retractingspring; J, the pawl on lead-carrier D; K K, small teeth thereon; L L, the spring-hooks at the lower end of slide G; l? P, the claspingsprings.

The operation of these several parts is as follows: Lead-carrier D is placed within notched slide 0; pawl J engaged with a tooth thereof, Slide 0 is inserted within sheathAuntil hooks L L catch at the lower end thereof. Pressing cap H moves slide O and carrier D, forward.

Releasing the pressure, retracting-springI returns cap H and slide 0 to their former positions. The friction of pawl J on theinner surface of sheath A, assisted by the engagement of small teeth K Kalso therewith, prevents carrier D, with the lead or crayon attached, from retracting by the catching of pawl J in the next lower tooth of the slide 0. Continuing this action until the point of the lead or crayon reaches the small end of tip 13, the next pressure on the cap leaves the lead projecting just far enough for use. When a new lead is needed tip 13 is removed, carrier D drawn out from the lower end of sheath A, and the fresh lead inserted in carrier D. Pressing hooks L L together, retracting-spring I will at once force slide 0 and cap Hfrom the upper end of sheath A, whence slide 0 may be withdrawn at will.

To adapt my improved holder to leads or crayons of various sizes,sheath A or slide 0 is provided with clasping-springsP P, which are caused to firmlyem brace any lead smaller than the aperture at the end of tip B by the pressure of the tip on the shoulders of the springs, regulated by the firmness with which the tip is pressed or screwed upon the base of the springs, which base is the lower extremity of sheath A. The lead-receiving portion of carrier D is tapered, and a thread out inside thereof, to more firmly retain leads or crayons of different sizes. The tip also acts as a point protector, being movable on the sheath.

That I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A lead or crayon holder provided with afeeding device consisting of a lead-carrier provided with a pawl and a notched slide movable longitudinally, and adapted to advance the carrier step by step by a pawl-and-ratchet movement, and hold it at the point to which it is so advanced, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of movable tapering tip B, clasping-springs P P, and tapering leadcarrier D, adapted to act in conjunction upon leads of varying sizes, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of a sheath, a notched slide, a lead-carrier, and a retracting-spring cap, constructed and operating together substantially as described.

4. The combination of a sheath provided with lead-clasping springs, a movable taper ing tip fitting the sheath, a lead-holder, and a notched slide, acting together substantially as and for the purpose described.

FRANK B. POWERS.

Witnesses:

S. J. GORDEN, J OHN W. RIPLEY. 

